Fisherman dead in Sabine Lake drowning

Updated 6:43 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2015

A Florida man reportedly drowned on Saturday afternoon in Sabine Lake near Port Arthur and the Texas-Louisiana border during a fishing tournament.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call just after 1 p.m. about a missing boater. The Jefferson County Marine Division and the Port Arthur Fire Department responded to the location, which is about 1.5 miles southeast of Stutes Island.

According to a sheriff's office news release, a group of fishermen said they were participating in a redfish tournament when they noticed that one boat was unoccupied.

"The boaters began searching the area and found the occupant floating face down about 100 yards from the boat," the release said. "The boaters were able to retrieve the occupant and began CPR until first responders arrived."

Rescue attempts were unsuccessful. Officials noted that the drowned 41-year-old boater had a history of seizures. His identity is being withheld pending family notification.